Usually those coming from distant places become the target of extortion. Since they are not local, they do not have any acquaintances there. Mostly, those buses reach the bridges at night. The lessee’s employees can quickly identify them and charge an additional amount. Hence, they have no option but to pay it, said the transport staff.
Kalapara upazila executive officer Shankar Chandra Baidya said he was not aware of the issue of additional toll payment. Shankar, a member of the Kuakata Beach Management Committee, said that if any lease holder charges toll more than the prescribed amount, the administration will engage the executive engineer of the Roads and Highways Department to investigate it and take necessary action.
“The lessees take the lease of the bridges following the government rules. We have given instructions to put up toll charts at all toll plazas,” said AM Ateeq Ullah, executive engineer of Patukhali Roads and Highways.
He said the authorities would take legal action after probing whether anyone flouted the rules or collected extra tolls. He said that the lease can also be canceled if needed.